Syllabus for COM-121-OL

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Mass Communications II looks at how technological advances in electronic media have changed the way complex organizations produce public messages. The course examines changes in the broadcast industry brought about by the invention of television and changes in the commercial networks brought about by the expansion of service providers.

The course looks at how various media professions shape mass media messages, and it evaluates the effects of industry regulation. Finally, the course assesses the impact of mass communications on the global village and examines the media's influence on the way people think and behave.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing Introduction to Mass Communications II, you should be able to:

• Identify major changes in mass communication produced by broadcast television.
• Explain how the original television networks and movie studios controlled the production, programming, and distribution of public messages.
• Analyze how the entrance of government into the broadcast industry changed the face of television.
• Explain the role and the influence of advertising in mass media.
• Investigate how public television changed corporate sponsorship, educational and cultural programming, and market share of the viewing audience in the late 1960s.
• Explain the impact of Internet, cable, and satellite viewing on the networks.
• Analyze the structures and features of how the Internet and the World Wide Web is evolving.
• Define convergence and explain how the computer became a mass communication medium.
• Summarize the rights and responsibilities of the media with regard to news gathering.
• Discuss the entrance of CNN into the industry in 1980 and how its growth challenged broadcast network programming.
• Evaluate how mass media influences communication internationally and across diverse cultures.

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COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete the work of the course. These materials are available from the textbook supplier, MBS Direct.

Textbook

The Dynamics of Mass Communications, 10th ed., by Joseph R. Dominick (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009).

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COURSE STRUCTURE

Introduction to Mass Communications II is a 3-credit, online course. You are required to read the text as assigned, complete five (5) written assignments, participate in online discussions, take a midterm exam, and submit a final project.

For the course's assignment modules (study assignments, online discussions, and written assignments), go to the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site.

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ONLINE PARTICIPATION

Introduction to Mass Communications II has four (4) graded online discussions, each focusing on a different subject. There is also an ungraded but required discussion in Module 1 titled "Introductions." All class discussions take place on the class Discussion Board.

Communication among fellow students and with the mentor is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a posted question (discussion thread) and subsequent comments on classmates' responses. Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate, the reading, or your mentor, state and support your agreement or disagreement. You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful.

For additional information on online discussions, see Online Discussions in the Online Student Handbook.

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WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

Introduction to Mass Communications II has five (5) written assignments. Each assignment consists of two or three essay questions.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site, and read through the written assignment questions before you begin each lesson. Your answers to the assignment questions should be well developed and convey your understanding of the course materials. Formulate responses in your own words (do not merely copy answers from your reading materials), citing text materials where appropriate and in an appropriate manner.

Prepare your written assignments using whatever word processing program you have on your computer. Include your name at the top of the paper, as well as the course name and code and the semester and year in which you are enrolled.

Before submitting your first assignment, check with your mentor to determine whether your word processing software is compatible with your mentor's software. If so, you can submit your work as you prepared it. If not, save your assignment as a rich-text (.rtf) file, using the Save As command of your software program. Rich text retains basic formatting and can be read by any other word processing program.

When satisfied that your assignment represents your best work, submit it to your mentor by means of the

>>View/Complete Assignment

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FINAL PROJECT

You are required to submit at the end of this course a final project in the form of a paper. The purpose of this final project is to give you experience in researching a profession of your choice within one of the industries associated with mass media covered in this course. You will:

1. Research your topic following specific guidelines.
2. Produce an outline for your paper.
3. Build on your outline to produce a 8-9 page paper.

For specific details about this project go to the Final Project area of the course Web site. Consult the about this project go to the Course Calendar to find out when your outline and completed final project are due.

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GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

Letter grades for online participation, written assignments, and the final examination are based on the following numerical grades:

Note: To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of D or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, projects, papers, etc.). You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted.

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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success
To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

1. Read carefully the entire Syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.



2. Take the time to read the entire Online Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course, how to schedule exams and arrange for proctors, and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State College.



3. Arrange to take your midterm examination by following the instructions in the Online Student Handbook. Then complete the "Proctor Request Form" and submit it to the Office of Test Administration (OTA). You must make arrangements to take your midterm examination and send in your "Proctor Request Form" to OTA before the end of the first week of the current semester. (See Administrative Forms in the General Information area of the course Web site.)



4. Familiarize yourself with the Blackboard environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.



5. If you are not familiar with Web-based learning, or specifically with the Blackboard platform, be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.

Study Tips
Consider the following study tips for success:

1. To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the course Calendar. The calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting assignments, posting discussions, and scheduling and taking your examinations. For details on each assignment module and a complete listing of learning activities, go to the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site.



2. Check the Announcements page and class Discussion Board regularly for new course information.

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